Paxil CR – (Paroxetine)

What is Paxil CR?
Paxil CR is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Paxil CR affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression, panic or anxiety, or obsessive or compulsive symptoms. Paxil CR is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What are the common side effects of Paxil CR?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Paxil CR and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); an irregular heartbeat or pulse; low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness); high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); unusual bleeding or bruising; or fever or chills. Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Paxil CR and talk to your doctor if you experience headache; tremor, nervousness, or anxiety; nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight; sleepiness or insomnia; or decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

How do I take Paxil CR?
Take each dose with water. Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose. To ensure that you get the correct dose, measure the suspension with a dose-measuring cup or spoon, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Paxil CR may be taken with or without food. Try to take Paxil CR at the same time each day.

What if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Are there any drug interactions with Paxil CR?
Before taking Paxil CR, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• benzodiazepine such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), and others,
• a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others,
• a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), and others,
• almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig),
• carbamazepine (Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin); lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others); theophylline (Theobid, Theolair, Theochron, Elixophyllin, and others,
• wafarin (Coumadin); digoxin (lanoxin); or cimetidine ( Tagamet, Tagamet HB).

Is there any additional information about Paxil CR that I should know?
Do not take Paxil CR if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. Serious, and sometimes fatal, reactions have occurred when these medicines have been used together. Also, do not take Paxil CR if you are taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Dangerous, even fatal irregular heartbeats may occur if these medicines are taken together. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping Paxil CR before taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Before taking Paxil CR, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, seizures or epilepsy, or a manic disorder or suicidal thoughts. Do not stop taking Paxil CR without first talking to your doctor. It may take 4 weeks or more for you to start feeling better and unpleasant side effects may be experienced if you stop taking Paxil CR suddenly.

How do I store Paxil CR?
Store Paxil CR at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Always keep all prescription medications out of the reach of children.